In a display control apparatus configured to control image data displayed on a predetermined display medium, an information acquisition unit acquires a first information associated with the predetermined matter at a first time and acquire a second information associated with the predetermined matter at a second time after the first time. A determination unit judges whether there is a predetermined change between the first information and the second information. A control unit controls the image data such that in a case where a predetermined change is detected, at least one of parameters including a location, a size, and a shape of a restricted area, in which the displaying of display information including in the image data is limited, is changed so as to achieve the parameter defined in relation to the second information.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A display control apparatus associated with a vehicle that controls image data displayed on a predetermined display medium to an occupant of the vehicle, comprising: a memory that stores instructions; a processor that, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, performs operations including acquiring a first information at a first time and acquiring a second information at a second time after the first time; judging whether there is a predetermined change between the first information associated with the predetermined matter and the second information; controlling the image data such that in a case where the predetermined change is detected, a first restricted area and a second restricted area where the displaying of display information included in the image data is limited on the display medium, the first restricted area defined in relation to the first information is changed to the second restricted area defined in relation to the second information, the second restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of a location, a size, a number, and a shape; and outputting the controlled image data to the predetermined display medium for viewing by the occupant of the vehicle, wherein the display information is information belonging to one of a first type or a second type and in a case where a change of the first restricted area causes the display information not to be displayed within the second restricted area, the processor controls the image data such that in a case where the display information is information belonging to the first type, the display information is displayed in an allowed area located outside the second restricted area, while in a case where the display information is information belonging to the second type, the location where the display information is displayed is maintained.
A vehicle display system adjusts the display of information based on changing conditions. The system monitors vehicle or driver states, and when a change is detected, it alters restricted areas on the display where certain information cannot be shown. If displayable information is pushed outside the new restricted area, information of a first type is moved to an allowed area outside the restricted zone, while information of a second type stays put. This ensures important notifications are visible without obstructing critical views, and less critical information is not moved even if obstructed.
2. The display control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in a case where the change of the first restricted area causes the display information to be displayed within the second restricted area, the processor controls the image data such that the display information is displayed in an allowed area located outside the second restricted area.
Building upon the vehicle display system that adjusts restricted display areas based on changing conditions, if displayable information is now shown inside a new restricted area, the system moves that information to an allowed area that exists outside the restricted area. The original positioning is not kept, the information is always moved outside a restricted area.
3. The display control apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein in a case where after the second information is acquired, a third information with the same content as the content of the first information is acquired, the processor controls the image data such that the display information displayed in the allowed area located outside the second restricted area is returned to a location where the first information was originally displayed.
Expanding the vehicle display system where information is moved outside of restricted areas, if the system detects that the initial conditions have returned, after they had changed and displayable information moved outside of restricted areas, the system automatically returns the displayable information to its original location on the screen.
4. The display control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in a case where the change of the first restricted area causes the display information to be displayed within the second restricted area, the processor controls the image data such that the display information is deleted from the display medium.
In the described vehicle display system, if the system detects that displayable information needs to be displayed in restricted areas, the displayable information is simply deleted from the display.
5. The display control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor controls the image data such that an outline of the restricted area is displayed with one of a solid line, a dashed-line, a broken line, a chain line, and a wavy line on the display medium.
The vehicle display system described displays the boundary or outline of the restricted areas with various lines (solid, dashed, dotted, wavy, chain line) to visually indicate to the user where displayable information is restricted.
6. The display control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in a case where the display information is information belonging to the second type, the processor controls the image data such that at least one of color, transparency, and luminance of the display information is changed.
In the vehicle display system, if displayable information belongs to a second type of information, upon entering or needing to display information within the restricted area, at least one of the color, transparency, or brightness of the information is changed.
7. The display control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in a case where the predetermined change is detected, the processor controls the image data such that the first restricted area is divided into a plurality of sub-areas.
The vehicle display system described, when a change is detected, the initial restricted area is divided into multiple smaller sub-areas.
8. A method for displaying control image data associated with a vehicle on a predetermined display medium for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle, the method comprising: acquiring a first information at a first time and a second information at a second time after the first time; making a judgment whether there is a predetermined change between the first information and the second information; controlling the image data such that in a case where the predetermined change is detected, a first restricted area where the displaying of display information included in the image data is limited on the display medium, the first restricted area being defined in relation to the first information is changed to a second restricted area defined in relation to the second information, the second restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of a location, a size, a number, and a shape; and outputting the controlled image data to the predetermined display medium for viewing by the occupant of the vehicle, wherein the display information is information belonging to one of a first type or a second type, and in a case where a change of the first restricted area causes the display information not to be displayed within the second restricted area, controlling the image data such that in a case where the display information is information belonging to the first type, the display information is displayed in an allowed area located outside the second restricted area, while in a case where the display information is information belonging to the second type, the location where the display information is displayed is maintained.
A vehicle display method adjusts the display of information based on changing conditions. The method monitors vehicle or driver states, and when a change is detected, it alters restricted areas on the display where certain information cannot be shown. If displayable information is pushed outside the new restricted area, information of a first type is moved to an allowed area outside the restricted zone, while information of a second type stays put. This ensures important notifications are visible without obstructing critical views, and less critical information is not moved even if obstructed.
9. A display control apparatus in a display system associated with a vehicle, including a sensor that detects a predetermined state of at least one of the vehicle and a driver, and a display that generates a predetermined image based on a first notification information, the display control apparatus comprising: a memory that stores instructions; a processor that, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, performs operations including controlling the display such that in a case where the sensor detects a first predetermined state at a first time, a first predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and outputted to a display medium for viewing by the driver such that the first predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the first restricted area, wherein the first restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the first predetermined state; and making a judgment such that in a case where the sensor detects a second predetermined state different from the first predetermined state at a second time later than the first time, the processor judges whether there is a predetermined change between the first predetermined state and the second predetermined state, wherein in a case where the processor judges that there is the predetermined change, the processor controls the display such that a second predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and is outputted to the display medium for viewing by the driver such that the second predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the second restricted area on the display medium, wherein the second restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the second predetermined state, and the second restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of a location, a size, a number, and a shape, and wherein the display information is information belonging to one of a first type or a second type, and in a case where a change of the first restricted area causes the display information not to be displayed within the second restricted area, controlling the image data such that in a case where the display information is information belonging to the first type, the display information is displayed in an allowed area located outside the second restricted area, while in a case where the display information is information belonging to the second type, the location where the display information is displayed is maintained.
A vehicle display system uses sensors to detect changes in vehicle or driver states and modifies the display of notifications accordingly. Initially, a notification is shown outside a first restricted area based on a first detected state. When the sensor detects a different state, a second restricted area is defined. If the notification now needs to be displayed within the new restricted area, it is instead shown outside of the second restricted area. As in previous claims, displayable information of a first type is moved to an allowed area outside the restricted zone, while information of a second type stays put.
10. A projection apparatus, comprising: the display control apparatus according to claim 9 , and the display.
A projection apparatus incorporates the display control apparatus described in claim 9, which uses sensors to detect changes in vehicle or driver states and modifies the display of notifications accordingly in addition to a display for viewing.
11. A method for a display system associated with a vehicle including a processor that acquires a first notification information to be notified to a driver of the vehicle, a sensor that detects a predetermined state of at least one of the vehicle and the driver, and a display that generates a predetermined image based on the first notification information acquired via the processor, the method comprising: controlling the display such that in a case where the sensor detects a first predetermined state at a first time, a first predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and outputted to a display medium for viewing by the driver such that the first predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the first restricted area, wherein the first restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the first predetermined state; making a judgment such that in a case where the sensor detects a second predetermined state different from the first predetermined state at a second time later than the first time, the judgment is made as to whether there is a predetermined change between the first predetermined state and the second predetermined state; and controlling the display such that in a case where it is judged that there is the predetermined change, a second predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and is outputted to the display medium for viewing by the driver such that the second predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the second restricted area on the display medium, wherein the second restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the second predetermined state, and the second restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of a location, a size, a number, and a shape, wherein further making a judgment such that in a case where the sensor detects a third predetermined state different from the second predetermined state at a third time later than the second time, the judgment is made as to whether there is a predetermined change between the second predetermined state and the third predetermined state; and controlling the display such that in a case where it is judged that there is the predetermined change, a third predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and is outputted to the display medium for viewing by the driver such that the third predetermined image is displayed in an area outside a third restricted area on the display medium, wherein the third restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the third predetermined state, and the third restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of a location, a size, a number, and a shape.
A vehicle display method adjusts notifications based on changing vehicle or driver states. When a first state is detected, a notification is displayed outside a first restricted area. If the state changes, the system determines if a display change is needed. If so, a second notification is shown outside a second restricted area, which differs from the first. If a third state is detected, the process repeats, displaying a third notification outside a third restricted area. Each notification and restricted area corresponds to the currently detected vehicle/driver state.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein controlling the display such that in a case where the detection of the second predetermined state by the sensor causes the first predetermined image for representing the first notification information displayed in the area outside the first restricted area to be included within the second restricted area, a second predetermined image for representing the first notification information is displayed on the display medium such that the image representing the first notification information is moved from the inside of the second restricted area to an area outside the second restricted area.
Building on the method described in claim 11, when the detection of a second predetermined state causes a first notification, which was outside a first restricted area, to be included in the second restricted area, the method moves the notification outside the second restricted area.
13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: controlling the display such that in a case where it is judged that there is the predetermined change in a state in which the location where image representing the first notification information is displayed on the display medium at the first time is in an area outside the third restricted area, a third predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and outputted to the display medium such that the third predetermined image is displayed at the location where the image representing the first notification information was displayed at the first time.
Based on claim 11, If the location where the image showing the first notification is located outside the third restricted area is detected and the system determines there has been a display change, the method ensures that the third notification image is displayed at the same initial location where the first notification image was displayed.
14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the outline of the restricted area is indicated with a solid line, a dotted line, a broken line, a chain line, or a wavy line, on the display medium.
Expanding on the method of claim 11, the system displays the outline of restricted areas with specific line styles (solid, dotted, dashed, chain, wavy) to visually indicate these zones on the display.
15. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: controlling the display such that in a case where the size of the second restricted area is substantially equal to the size of the display medium, the image representing the first notification information is deleted from the display medium.
Expanding on the method of claim 11, if the size of the restricted area is substantially equal to the display size, then the notification image is deleted from the display entirely.
16. A method for a display system associated with a vehicle including a processor that acquires a first notification information to be notified to a driver of the vehicle, a sensor that detects a predetermined state of at least one of the vehicle and the driver, and a display that generates a predetermined image based on the first notification information acquired via the processor, the method comprising: controlling the display such that in a case where the sensor detects a first predetermined state at a first time, a first predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and outputted to a display medium for viewing by the driver such that the first predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the first restricted area, wherein the first restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the first predetermined state; making a judgment such that in a case where the sensor detects a second predetermined state different from the first predetermined state at a second time later than the first time, the judgment is made as to whether there is a predetermined change between the first predetermined state and the second predetermined state; and controlling the display such that in a case where it is judged that there is the predetermined change, a second predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and is outputted to the display medium for viewing by the driver such that the second predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the second restricted area on the display medium, wherein the second restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the second predetermined state, and the second restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of a location, a size, a number, and a shape; and controlling the display such that in a case where the processor acquires the first notification information and second notification information different from the first notification information, an image indicating the first notification information in an area outside the first restricted area and a third predetermined image representing an image indicating the second notification information are generated and outputted to the display medium for viewing by the driver, and in a state in which the image indicating the first notification information and the image indicating second notification information are displayed at the first time at a location included in the second restricted area, if it is judged that the predetermined change is detected, then a fourth predetermined image for representing an image indicating the first notification information and the image indicating the second notification information is generated and outputted to the display medium for viewing by the driver such that the image indicating the first notification information is displayed in an area outside the second restricted area and the image indicating the second notification information is displayed at the location where the image indicating the second notification information was displayed at the first time.
A method for displaying notifications in a vehicle adapts to changing conditions and displays multiple notifications. It starts by displaying a first notification outside a first restricted area based on a first vehicle/driver state. When the state changes, a second restricted area is defined, and the first notification is moved to be outside this new area. If a second notification needs to be displayed and its location is within the second restricted area, both notifications are adjusted so the first remains outside the restricted area, while the second notification keeps its original placement.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the image indicating the second notification information of the fourth predetermined image is changed in terms of at least one of color, transparency, and luminance.
Building on the multi-notification display method of claim 16, the second notification image, is changed in at least one of color, transparency and luminance.
18. A method for a display system including a processor that acquires a first notification information to be notified to a driver of a vehicle, a sensor that detects a predetermined state of at least one of the vehicle and the driver, and a display that generates a predetermined image based on the first notification information acquired via the processor, the method comprising: controlling the display such that in a case where the sensor detects a first predetermined state at a first time, a first predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and outputted to a display medium such that the first predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the first restricted area, wherein the first restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the first predetermined state; making a judgment such that in a case where the sensor detects a second predetermined state different from the first predetermined state at a second time later than the first time, the judgment is made as to whether there is a predetermined change between the first predetermined state and the second predetermined state; and controlling the display such that in a case where it is judged that there is the predetermined change, a second predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and is displayed on the display medium such that the second predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the second restricted area on the display medium, wherein the second restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the second predetermined state, and the second restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of a location, a size, a number, and a shape, wherein the predetermined state indicates one of automatic driving levels of the vehicle, a plurality of automatic driving levels are prescribed from a level in which all operations necessary in driving are performed by a driver of the vehicle to a level in which automatic driving is performed without the driver of the vehicle having to perform any operation necessary in driving, and the predetermined change between the first automatic driving level and the second automatic driving level is a change between one of the plurality of levels and another one of the plurality of levels.
Building on claim 11, the predetermined state is the automated driving level of the vehicle. The automated driving level includes multiple levels from the driver being required to perform all driving tasks to automated driving requiring no human input. The predetermined change is between two or more automatic driving levels.
19. A non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium storing display control program to be executed by a computer in a display system associated with a vehicle, the display system including a processor that acquires a first notification information to be notified to a driver of the vehicle, a sensor that detects a predetermined state of at least one of the vehicle and the driver, and a display that generates a predetermined image based on the first notification information acquired via the processor, the display control program configured to cause the computer to execute a process, the process comprising: controlling the display such that in a case where the sensor detects a first predetermined state at a first time, a first predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and outputted to a display medium for viewing by the driver such that the first predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the first restricted area, wherein the first restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the first predetermined state; making a judgment such that in a case where the sensor detects a second predetermined state different from the first predetermined state at a second time later than the first time, the judgment is made as to whether there is a predetermined change between the first predetermined and the second predetermined state; and controlling the display such that in a case where it is judged that there is the predetermined change, a second predetermined image for representing the first notification information is generated and is outputted to the display medium for viewing by the driver such that the second predetermined image is displayed in an area outside the second restricted area on the display medium, wherein the second restricted area is an area defined in advance in relation to the second predetermined state, and the second restricted area is different from the first restricted area in terms of at least one of location, size, number, and shape, and wherein the display information is information belonging to one of a first type or a second type, and in a case where a change of the first restricted area causes the display information not to be displayed within the second restricted area, controlling the image data such that in a case where the display information is information belonging to the first type, the display information is displayed in an allowed area located outside the second restricted area, while in a case where the display information is information belonging to the second type, the location where the display information is displayed is maintained.
A computer-readable storage medium contains a program for controlling a vehicle display system. The system monitors vehicle/driver states via sensors and adjusts notification displays. When a first state is detected, a notification is shown outside a first restricted area. Upon detecting a different state, the system determines if a change is needed, and if so, it displays a second notification outside a second restricted area. If a displayable notification is pushed outside a restricted zone, information of a first type is moved outside the restricted zone, while information of a second type stays put.
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September 29, 2014
May 2, 2017
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